Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-04-23

be passed tN 70 years in the study of law,
and then catered a banking house at
to the busin ,ss In May, 1889, Mr.. Mitchell,
then IN his twenty- second year, came to the
United Ste ties, and settled in Milwaukee,
then vi age Of about 1900 inhabitants.
an Aberd eenshire man, possibly relative,
George 5 NTH by name, had come hither
SIX year before to represent the interests
OF the Scottish Illinois Land Investment
compa ny, and, in the prosecution of their
buslne IS, had become thoroughly acquainted
with the wants of the Western country.
Alter some hesitation between Chicago
and Milwaukee, which were then towns of
abo as the same size and with about equal pro-
mis- q OF future growth, Mr.. Smith decided to
esta bllsh banking house in Milwaukee,
ard calling young Mitchell to his aid, the
two obtained from the territorial legisla-
ture of Wisconsin a charter authorizing
them to establish a company to insure
against tire and marine losses, to receive de-
posts, issue certificates and lend money.
They began business as the Wisconsin Ma
rlne and Fire Insurance company, and were
wonderfully successful from the start.
Ihe bank was q great success and con-
tlnues at thi time the largest in Wisconsin.
The story OF his life, is the history Of Mil
waukee,, tho Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul railway system, and to a large extent
OF Wisconsi a. iowa and Dakota. Railroad
constructor was begun in Wisconsin in
1851, by var ious corporations. operated in
dependently and all non-paying properties.
Through M r. Mitchells efforts the bond
holders OF be various jeopardized lines as
soclated themselves together in u corporate
capacity t @ protect the property and i'm
prove it. 'rfhe Milwaukee & st. Paul Rail
way CONF ANY was organized May 5, 1862.
their bra &C hes, Mr.. Mitchell being elected
presiden {. Gradually other lines in Wis
consin, lowa and Minnesota were added,
ana a. IN S74 the corporation was changed to
the Chi cago, Milwaukee & st. Paul railway.
10 Mr. Mitcheil's fine Engagement, aided
by 5. -. Merrill and his associates, is due
the SUI :cesS OF this vast railway ENTERPRISE
Mr.. Mitchell was in politics first Wing,
then Republican and a firm supporter Of
the war policies of the government. In 1868
candidate for president lie ran as a Demo-
GRAFT for congress in 1868 in the First Wis
cors1n District, but was defeated. In 1870
ne ran again and was elected, and elected
vention in 1876; he supported TiIden. In
1879 he declines. the Democratic nomination
for governor. He for years held many posi-
lions Of honor and trust. In religion he
was Presbyterian for some time but lat
terly was vestryman of st. James EPISCOPAL
rled Oct z, 1871, to Miss Martha Reed, the
daughter Of Seth Reed. one of the pioneers
OF Milwaukee, and OF New England origin.
Six children We're born to them, but five of
these died in lnfancy-John l.. Mitchell, the
survivor, being chairman of the Democratic
state central committee.
In his personal life he was most un-
ostentacious, easy of approach and simple
in his habits Of life. With genuine Scotch
nature he always retained his love for
athlethic sports, and was a patron Of
curling and of the annual games of the St.
Andrews society. He was rather short
and heavy-set with full face, with beard
around beneath his jaw entirely surround
his estate is S12,OOO,uOO, though it NAV not
quite reach that sum, and the greater
amount thereof is i'll his bank property and
real estate holdings.